📖 Knowledge is power - especially when navigating a medical system that often doesn't take women's symptoms seriously. The more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself.
Books
Dr. Mary Claire Haver's comprehensive, plain-English guide to perimenopause and menopause, covering symptoms, HRT, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle. One of the most accessible and evidence-based books available for women navigating this transition.
💡 The clearest all-in-one guide from a doctor who gets it
Estrogen Matters
Dr. Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris
A rigorous, research-based dismantling of the myths around HRT and breast cancer risk. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris make a compelling case for why estrogen therapy has been unfairly maligned, essential reading for any woman making an informed decision about HRT.
💡 Makes a compelling case for why HRT fears have been overstated
What Fresh Hell Is This?
Heather Corinna
Perimenopause through the lens of journalist Heather Corinna, funny, validating, feminist, and genuinely informative. If you want the reassuring 'you are not going mad' book that also makes you laugh out loud, this is it.
💡 The funny, validating book that makes you feel less alone
Neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi's groundbreaking exploration of how perimenopause affects the brain, from brain fog and memory to mood, sleep, and long-term cognitive health. Fascinating and deeply reassuring: your brain is changing, not failing.
💡 Neuroscience explains why your brain feels different right now
Dr. Kelly Casperson's warm, direct guide to reclaiming sexual health and desire in midlife. She challenges the medical system's dismissiveness around women's sexual health and provides practical, hormone-informed guidance on libido, intimacy, and reconnecting with desire.
💡 Permission to prioritise your sexual health and pleasure
Dr. Stacy Sims' exercise and nutrition science book specifically for women, including the profound differences in how women over 40 should train, eat, and recover. The go-to guide for active women navigating perimenopause while maintaining or improving athletic performance.
💡 Training and nutrition science written specifically for women's physiology
Podcasts
Dr. Louise Newson Podcast
Dr. Louise Newson
The most comprehensive menopause podcast available, Dr. Louise Newson interviews researchers, specialists, and women sharing their stories. Covers HRT, symptoms, treatment options, and the science in accessible detail. A must-listen for anyone wanting to understand their options.
💡 The gold standard menopause podcast, science-based and accessible
Dr. Andrew Huberman's deep-dive conversation with Dr. Mary Claire Haver covers the science of perimenopause, HRT evidence, nutrition, supplements, and exercise. Four hours of genuinely useful information presented with scientific rigour. One of the best introductions to the topic available.
💡 4-hour deep dive into the science, worth every minute
You Are Not Broken Podcast
Dr. Kelly Casperson
Dr. Kelly Casperson's podcast focusing on women's sexual health, hormones, and midlife wellbeing. Frank, funny, and feminist, she dismantles shame around sexual health and talks about hormones in plain language. Especially good for libido, relationship dynamics, and vaginal health.
💡 Candid conversations about sexual health, hormones & midlife
Sex, Urology & Everything
Dr. Rachel Rubin
Dr. Rachel Rubin is a leading voice in sexual medicine and urology for women. Her appearances and content cover testosterone, vaginal health, bladder issues, and why women's sexual health deserves the same attention as men's. Direct, evidence-based, and refreshingly un-squeamish.
💡 Urology and sexual health explained without the awkwardness
Experts
Dr. Mary Claire Haver
OB-GYN and certified menopause practitioner who became the internet's most trusted perimenopause voice. Author of 'The Galveston Diet' and 'The New Menopause.' Known for translating complex hormonal science into actionable, compassionate guidance.
✨ The most accessible menopause doctor on the internet
Dr. Louise Newson
UK-based menopause specialist and founder of the Balance app. One of the most influential advocates for evidence-based menopause care globally. Fights tirelessly for women's access to HRT and better medical education.
✨ Leading global advocate for women's access to evidence-based HRT
Dr. Rachel Rubin
Sexual medicine specialist and urologist in Washington DC, passionate about addressing the 'pleasure gap' in women's healthcare. One of the leading voices on testosterone for women, vaginal health, and bladder issues in midlife.
✨ Champion for women's sexual health being taken seriously
Dr. Kelly Casperson
Urologist and author focused on women's sexual health, hormones, and dispelling shame. Her book and podcast share the same name as her mission: 'You Are Not Broken.' Particularly strong on vaginal estrogen, urinary health, and reclaiming desire in midlife.
✨ Urologist making women's sexual health mainstream
Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medicine specialising in brain health and the female brain across the lifespan. Her research on how menopause affects the brain is groundbreaking, her book 'The Menopause Brain' translates this into accessible guidance for women.
✨ Neuroscientist proving perimenopause changes are real in the brain
Dr. Stacy Sims
Exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist whose research focuses on the specific needs of female athletes, particularly in perimenopause and beyond. Champions resistance training, adequate protein, and strategic HIIT for women over 40. Her book 'ROAR' is essential reading.
✨ The definitive voice on exercise science for women over 40
Finding a Doctor
The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) maintains a directory of certified menopause practitioners in the US. These are healthcare providers who have passed a certification exam and demonstrated commitment to evidence-based menopause care. Worth travelling for.
💡 The most rigorous US certification for menopause specialists
For UK women, the BMS directory lists healthcare professionals who have completed BMS-accredited menopause training. The quality of menopause care in the UK is improving, but a BMS-trained practitioner is your best starting point.
💡 UK's most trusted menopause specialist directory
US-based telehealth platform staffed entirely by menopause-trained practitioners. Most appointments within days, covered by many insurance plans. Particularly good for women who can't find menopause-informed care locally. The standard of care is excellent.
💡 Excellent US telehealth, menopause-trained practitioners, insurance accepted
US-based menopause telehealth platform offering evidence-based hormone therapy and continuous care. Clear pricing, responsive support, and a focus on personalised treatment. Particularly good for straightforward HRT prescribing.
💡 Straightforward US HRT prescribing, clear, evidence-based care
US telehealth focused on menopause hormone therapy, with board-certified physicians and accessible pricing. Offers a range of HRT options with follow-up care included. Good option for women in states without specialist access.
💡 Affordable US menopause telehealth with board-certified physicians
Tips for Finding Good Care
Key questions to ask a potential doctor: 'Are you familiar with body-identical HRT?', 'What's your view on testosterone for women?', 'Do you follow Menopause Society or BMS guidelines?' If they say HRT is dangerous, give outdated advice, or dismiss your symptoms, find another doctor. You deserve evidence-based care.
💡 What to ask to spot a menopause-informed clinician
Communities
Reddit community of hundreds of thousands of women sharing experiences, asking questions, and supporting each other through perimenopause. One of the most validating places on the internet if you're wondering 'is this normal?' Moderated to be supportive and evidence-leaning.
💡 Hundreds of thousands of women asking 'is this normal?', yes, it is
Sister community to r/Perimenopause, focused on the menopause transition and beyond. A wealth of shared experience, HRT discussions, doctor recommendations, and mutual support. The 'wiki' sidebar contains excellent curated resources.
💡 Highly informed community with excellent curated wiki resources
Balance App Community
Dr. Louise Newson's Balance app includes a community forum where women share experiences, ask questions, and support each other. Moderated with a clinical lens, tends to be more evidence-based than general social media groups.
💡 Clinically-informed community within an excellent app
Apps
Balance
Created by Dr. Louise Newson, Balance is widely considered the best menopause-specific app available. Features: symptom tracking, HRT information, a community forum, personalized insights, and content from the UK's leading menopause specialists. Free with optional premium tier.
💡 The best menopause app available, created by a leading specialist
Bearable
Highly customisable health tracking app that lets you track symptoms, mood, medications, sleep, and more, then generates correlations to help you spot patterns. Particularly good for tracking complex, multi-symptom conditions like perimenopause. Available for iOS and Android.
💡 The most flexible health tracking app for spotting symptom patterns
🫶 This is a curated starting point - not an exhaustive list. The perimenopause information landscape has improved enormously in recent years. Keep exploring.